While cute, this doesn’t stand out on an already-crowded shelf.
A continuation of James and Brown’s Loves You! series.
As in her previous titles in the series, James’ first-person narrator, a bipedal but unclothed father bunny in Brown’s illustrations, describes the many ways he shares his love and affection with his child. “Daddy loves you, bunny-bear, / much more than words can say. / You are your daddy’s sunshine. / I’ll love you every day.” Readers follow along, the adults possibly remembering their own shared experiences with a father figure, as the father-child duo explores the world, plays together, and beds down at night. The father echoes sentiments common to parents everywhere: “Do your best. Be bold and kind, / be all you want to be. / You’ll be a superhero / …especially to me.” But James missteps when the father says he’ll “protect you, / wherever you may go,” a promise parents can’t always keep. Brilliant spring colors and adorable, loving animals make this a title kids will gravitate toward. Indeed, Dad’s paw atop his tot’s head in a tender caress and the child cradled in their father’s arms, nose to nose, as the sun rises are hard to resist. Labeled a “Keepsake Edition,” the book has a page in the frontmatter designed for a gift inscription and date, and the backmatter has space for a personalized “Special Letter to My Favorite Bunny” and a photo of “Daddy and child.”
While cute, this doesn’t stand out on an already-crowded shelf. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-53411-059-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2020
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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